10 Things First Time Cruisers Should ALWAYS Do on a Cruise

I would like to thank you big time because your videos make my recent cruise the best experience ever. My husband and I have the time of our lives. Thank you

How do you get the daily planner? I don't want to use my phone on the cruise.

I prefer the paper daily planner. It’s so much easier to see the big picture and plan your day. And, of course, you need a highlighter to make it even better.

When re-boarding after port day do they check your water bottle

I rather use the app i feel like paper planner Is filled with too much nonsense 99% of the things on the planner I probably won’t even consider looking at or doing and I never unpack the only thing I ever put in the drawers is the bag with my dirty clothes I’d rather live out of my suitcase Because I know they never clean the insides of the drawers and plus I’d rather have everything in one spot

Unpacking also gives more space in the tiny cabin

I'm a first timer. I'm leaving out of Bmore. I'm leaving in May which may be a little chilly so I'm trying to figure out how long does it take to get to warmer Waters any ideas like do I have to wait till the next day to use the pool if it's cold

I love the paper daily planners… I always keep them and put them in my folder for all my paperwork for that cruise 🚢 it’s lovely to refer back to them, I treat it like a memory folder 😊

I want a paper planner to supplement the app

This is a question: I am on a really tight budget and I get really nervous about "the bill at the end". If I have prepaid the cruise, the tips, excursions, don't drink alcohol, stay away from specialty dining and put cash on the sign and sail card for a few specialty coffees and s lobster roll, what else would they charge for?

Hi Ilana, my husband and I are preparing for our first cruise ever! I'm browsing through Amazon and I ended up on a duck thing?!?! What is that about? What is the meaning of Cruising Duck? Thank you for all your good adviceé

Paper planner for me! 🥳🙋🏻‍♀️

My first cruise 20 years ago was on carnival with my two youngest who were 13 and 17 at the time. We had an ocean view cabin that was smaller than I expected. My mistake was not thoroughly checking every nook and cranny for storage spots. We cruised the Caribbean and packed several pairs of shoes each. It was a nightmare keeping track of the shoes and trying not to trip over them. On the last day of the cruise we found that there was a large drawer that pulled out from under the sofa. It was perfect for shoes. Now the first thing I do in whatever type of cabin we book I look for each drawer, cupboard, shelf or closet. We just cruised on Royal Caribbean Navigator of the sea. We had an inside cabin . It was a 4 night cruise we booked 5 days before we sailed. We were just looking for a quick get away. The ports didn’t matter to us . This little cabin had the best storage I have had on any of the cruises I have been on. I’m just glad I knew to look closely before I unpacked.

I prefer the paper versions of the daily planner. I always keep them in a plastic A4 popper wallet and then have a happy cruise memory to keep. Also useful for checking up information. Myself and my daughters couldn’t agree on the opening hours of a particular bar . Easily solved by finding the folder from when I sailed on that ship and hey presto we had the answer.

If interested in excursions book months before the cruise and also specialty restaurants. The popular ones will fill up fast.

I like the printed daily planner

My last cruise mate didn’t unpack. Every time she needed something, she hauled her giant suitcase onto her bed. I didn’t understand that.

I am definitely old school and use the paper daily events calendar. It was readily available at the customer service desk every day.

Wish Carnival would go back to the printed daily planner left in your room!

Thank you so very much for all of your videos ! My first cruise is Oct 31st and I'm so very excited. All of your content has been so helpful and informative and your links, tips and tricks are amazing !

I realized the cabin I booked is on the 12th floor, right near the elevators. Is this going to be a problem? Is it very noisy?

I just came back from my first cruise. It was to the Norwegian fjords (yes, we saw Northern Lights!). A thing that I did, not essential but helpful, was to read a guide book about the destination. That way, I knew a bit more about history, culture and geography of the country that I was visiting. I usually travel on my own and always do some research about my destinations. For a cruise, I thought that it was not essential, but I'm glad that I did a bit of reading. That way, I felt more connection, less distance, with the people of the places I visited.

Your tips really helped me on my cruise

where do i find the links for the items you mention in your videos?

Definitely love the paper planners, too! It’s what I look at before bed! Plan out the next day, I’ll earmark what I’m interested in, on the app after looking at the paper one

love your videos, watching all I can. First Cruise coming soon, so excited!

Did I miss something or was there only 9 tips? I got you going form #7 to #9.

I always check to see where the bathrooms are on certain floors. Knowing where the bathroom is after being in the Theatre and around the main dining room is important to me.

Hey ! So staterooms don’t come with any time piece right ? As I remember, if you are the type to lock up the phone, you have to bring a little travel clock w you if you want to know what time it is in the stateroom. Especially if 3 am and the Tv is not available. Do I remember this correctly?

I prefer a paper daily planner.

I suggest, watch video tours of each ship you are considering. Read comments also. Hard Travel does awesome tours but some are very long. I like all the detail.

I always wanted to play bingo, but it is very expensive.

If you have an extra charge adult only area you want to visit, reserve your time in advance or no later that embarkation day. Day 2 is probably too late.

Lots of ships have no straws or have paper straws. I always drink coffee with a straw so I always bring my own. Paper straws disintegrate too quickly.

I booked online, and didn't realise it was a "travel agent". I wish I'd booked direct.

Are there any classes on Carnival Radiance? I can't find any information.

Paper

Not our first cruise but only enjoyed one ten yrs ago. I’m pretty sure I’ve watched all of your videos. You are so informative and enjoyable to watch. We get daily Amazon pkgs with items you recommend and we never thought of. We are going on NCL Joy for our 50th anniversary. Taking our two sons and wives and two of our grandchildren. We have looked so forward to this for a long, long time. Thank you for making this an easy prep. ❤️

Help, I'm obsessed with cruise ships and I probably wont be able to go on a cruise until the far future. As of now I can't afford to get on one and yet I am still looking at these cruise videos and writing down notes for the future.

I haven't been on a cruise before, but I have been looking at cruise videos in the past few days and here are the tips I have so far:

Tips for first time cruise ship ride:

1) be aware of hurricane season, June-> Nov

2) get a balcony cabin if you plan on being in the room a lot, but if you are out a lot get one with no cabin

3) group/party should have walkie talkies because wifi is expensive

4) book with a travel agent, they know best about this stuff

5) on day one, check in as early as possible. You are paying for day one, why not get on and use that day

6) download the cruise lines app, it can help you book stuff

7) keep an eye on the cruise price (even after booking), they can drop in prices and a lot of the ships will give you points (basically on ship currancy) to use instead of money.

8) always learn more about the cruise ship you are about to get on before you book it.

9) research your ports ahead of time so you know what you are gonna do, time is limited.

10) keep your ship card on you at all times.

11) keep phones on airplane mode for the whole trip, even if you pay for wifi. Some people will go back home and discover thousands of dollars for bills because they went out to sea.

12) buy traveller's insurance

13) book reservations on day one

14) while on port, keep track of time.

15) fly at least one or two days before going to the cruise ship, not the same day, as you might miss it.

16) pack swimwear on carry on, it may take a while for the ship to bring your luggage to your room.

17) if you don't like big crowds, don't go to the buffet as soon as you board. go to one of the main dining rooms for lunch instead. It has less people

18) do the math and ask yourself if you will be drinking 10+ alcohol a day (If not, then for a friend) before buying the alcohol package

19) every cabin comes with a safe, use it.

20) if bringing a laptop, put it in a suitcase that can lock.

21) fly to cruise at least one or two days before it leaves, not the day of the cruise.

22) keep phones on airplane mode.

23) bring important items on carry on, sometimes it can take hours before you see your other bags.

24) check passport expiration date, if too late they won't let you on the cruise. (won't let on if less then 6 months before expiration date, and can take up to 12 weeks to get the passport updated)

25) GET TRAVEL INSUREANCE

26) book activities as soon as you board.

27) explore the ship on day one, some non public things are open in day one.

28) dont overpack. Some people over pack and don't use many of their clothes, maybe bring 2 or 3 pairs of casual wear, and one formal wear

29) skip buffet day one, it will be super busy on day one. instead head to the main dining room, better food and take time and enjoy your meal.

30) check your statement regularly (on app) (I don't remember why)

31) you can try multiple dishes on the dining room, don't be afraid to ask.

32) don't worry about cash while on board, everything is paid on the room key. cash is only needed on port.

33) GET CRUISE INSURANCE

34) get first day discounts

35) share wifi (one device package)

36) buy internet package before you board the ship

37) be prepared for pictures

38) cruise when kids are in school, less kids and cheaper prices.

39) consider package deals

40) don't stress, formal nights aren't that big of a deal.

41) be nice to workers, they have to deal with people a lot and don't get many breaks.

————————————————— >
what to bring for cruise ships:

1) bring at least 3 or 4 pairs of clothes, you won't need much. also bring toothbrush and toothpaste, sun screen, shaving stuff, chargers.

2) things you can hang stuff off of. Suction cup hooks, and stuff like that

3) power strip (allows someone to use more outlets with one outlet) in case your room doesn't have that many outlets.

Edit: some things may repeat because I forgot and watched more then one "tips" videos, I also copied and pasted all these tips from a notes app.

I'm so jealous of people who can go on

I'm a little part introvert, I have no clue why I want to go on

We took our very first cruise last month to Alaska. I wish we had spent more time researching, relaxing, and soaking it all in. My spouse felt the need to be on the go with excursions. We’re already planning another trip to Alaska and will be doing things quite differently. We want to learn more about the culture this time. After all, the scenery 🦅🐻🐋🦭🏔️IS the real reason we go; right? 😊

Both the app & hard copies of the daily planner were useful for differing times and reasons. I’m on team “both.”

Only take what you can on a backpack 🎒 it will save you lots of stress

Useless tips

Are cruise handicap accessible? Are scooters available or allowed?

Do you have to watch the weight on your luggage on a cruise? I thought that was only on air flights!

I like the paper planner even if I have to go get it myself